Oneonta, NY, United States

With a population of just 13,079, Oneonta is a sleepy college town in upstate New York that struggles to shake its provincial identity. The influx of some 7,300 students from SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College make up a significant portion of the city's residents, but the local economy remains sluggish. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city's incorporation in 1908 has done little to streamline its governance. While the architecture features charming Victorian and 20th-century styles, Oneonta's remote location between Binghamton and Albany offers limited opportunities beyond the academic sphere. Unless you're seeking a quiet, insulated existence centered around the local colleges, this city is unlikely to satisfy those seeking an energetic, cosmopolitan lifestyle.